Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-05-21
ABOUT THE INDUSTRIOUS BEAVER.

Beavers are busy little creatures that live
in many parts of the world, and anywhere
they live they are patterns worthy of imita-
ton as regards industry and skill. Their
homes are located on the waters edge and
near some thickly wooded region. From the
woods they gather the material with which
to construct their houses, which are made
both warm and strong. The interior of a
beavers house is seven or eight feet in di
ameter and three feet high. Around this,
but leaving vacant space or court in the
middle, several rooms are arranged. Beav-
ers, it must be understood, are not content
with one apartment In addition to their
lodges they have what Wick calls dining
halls-in reality, burrows or rooms where
they take their food.
Nothing is wasted by the industrious
beaver. He strips the bark from the
branches of trees with which he builds the
walls of his castle and stores it away for
food in winter. The branches which the
beaver carries in his forefeet-that becomes
arms when he works-are placed together
with twigs and the spaces plastered with
mud The roof is formed of branches and
moss massed together with mud. But
how does the beaver accomplish all this
carpentry and masonry? Some readers
may not know. The answer is, with ma
lures tools.
AS has been already told, " hen at work
this animals forefeet become his arms,
with which he carries his burdens of logs
and branches. AS for the rest, his teeth are
wonderfully strong and sharp and provide
the cbisel-like tools with which he cuts
down trees and branches. The beaver is a
builder of dams as well as of houses.
The beaver measures about two feet in
length and has broad, somewhat flattened
tail, that serves as an assistance when he is
plastering the walls of his house with mud
mortar. The two hindfeet are long and
webbed, the forefeet are short and not
webbed The hindfeet are used for swim
ming, while the forefeet are held close to
the side. The beaver is covered with beau
tiful soft fur, and this fur is what all the
beaver hats, caps, mutfs and capes are
made of. Did you ever realize before that
in order to have your warm, soft furs many
beavers had to be hunted and caught in
nets or traps, and then killed?
ROCK AND THE BUTCHER.
Ten years ago few men were better
known in Delaware City, Del, than
" Rock" the pointer, owned by George A.
Clark. He was pleasant, genial dog-a
great fayorite with everyone. He was ac-
customed to nudge persons when he wanted
money to buy beef with, trying this and that
one in the Postoffice, kept by Mr.. Clark,
until some one would place penny on
his nose. This he would instantly toss up
in the air and catch in his mouth. Then
he would start for the door, open it as read
lily as child, and trot down to the butch
er's and lay his penny on the counter The
butcher would take up the penny and give
him piece of meat, when he would re-
turn for another penny if he was not sat
isfied.
1n,x I l Ill
it upon the counter: the butcher neglected
to take it up, but gave him his beef Rock
swallowed his meat and deliberately took
up his money and trotted back to the
Office to the great amusement of those who
saw the trick. This is the only dishonest
thing ever knew Rock to do during the
many years l knew him.-Honle and Farm.
THE MASKED DANCERS.
A nobleman once gave a grand supper to
a few guests. While they sat at the table,
two masked people came into the room.
They were not larger than children or 6
years of age, and represented gentleman
and lady of high rank. The gentleman
wore a scarlet coat with golden buttons.
His curly wig was powdered snow-white,
and in his hand he held fine hat.
The lady was dressed in yellow silk,
with silvor spangles, and had neat little
nat Win plufnes Oh nef neau, and ian IN
the hand. Both danced elegantly and
made agile springs. Everybody said, The
skill of these children is wonderful"
An old officer who sat at the table took
an apple aud threw it between the gay
dancers. Suddenly, the little lord and
lady rushed for the apple, quarreled as if
they were mad, tore off their masks and
headgear, and instead of the skillful chill
dren appeard a pair of apes. All al the
table laughed loudly; but the old officer
said with much earnestness "Apes and
fools may dress as much as they please, it
soon becomes known who they are."-
From the German.
WHAT THE GEESE DID.
Many years ago-more than 2.000-the